Akola District Rocked by Extortion Calls Targeting Political Leaders
Akola district in Maharashtra has been plunged into a security crisis following a series of alleged extortion calls made to prominent political figures in the name of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The police have swiftly registered formal cases and launched a comprehensive technical and criminal investigation into these threatening communications.
Dual Complaints from BJP and Congress Functionaries
The alarming sequence began when Harish Tawari, the city president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Akot, filed the first complaint. He reported receiving an extortion demand for a staggering ₹2 crore. Merely a couple of days later, the situation escalated as Sajid Khan Pathan, the Congress MLA from Akola West, also came forward with a similar complaint.
Pathan disclosed that on February 17, he received an international call originating from California, USA, demanding an even larger sum of ₹10 crore. The police have successfully traced this call's origin, highlighting the transnational nature of the threat.
Police Response and Investigation Details
In response to Tawari's complaint, the Akot city police station has registered a formal case. Authorities have clarified that there is no mention of Akot BJP MLA Prakash Bharsakale in the First Information Report (FIR) related to this specific incident. Simultaneously, the Akola city police registered a separate case on February 18 based on MLA Pathan's complaint.
Addressing the media, police spokesperson and crime branch officer Shankar Shelke confirmed that both incidents are being investigated concurrently. "Based on the complaints from Akot and Akola, offences have been registered against the accused identified as Shubham Lonkar. Call detail records, technical data, and voice samples are being examined. We are also verifying whether the caller is indeed Lonkar. Security of both leaders has been enhanced," Shelke stated.
Heightened Threats and Security Concerns
The caller allegedly issued dire threats to MLA Pathan, warning of severe consequences if the monetary demand was not met. Disturbingly, the threats extended to Pathan's family members as well. During the call, the accused reportedly made a chilling reference, suggesting that the MLA would meet the same fate as Baba Siddique—a former Congress MLA whose murder case involves Shubham Lonkar as an accused. This reference has significantly heightened security apprehensions among authorities.
Shelke further elaborated on the investigative challenges, noting that since the calls originated from abroad, cyber and technical agencies have been enlisted to trace the digital trail, network routing, and precise location of the caller.
MLA Pathan's Appeal for Enhanced Security
In a parallel development, MLA Sajid Khan Pathan has taken formal steps to address his security concerns. He has written a detailed letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, expressing that the current security arrangements are inadequate given the gravity of the threats.
In his correspondence, Pathan outlined the specifics of the international extortion call demanding ₹10 crore in the name of the Bishnoi gang, along with the explicit death threats against him and his family. He highlighted an additional concern: the impending State Legislature's budget session in Mumbai, which will necessitate increased movement and public exposure. Citing these compelling reasons, Pathan has urgently requested that he be provided with Y-category security without any delay to ensure his safety during this volatile period.
Accused Profile and Gang Connections
The primary accused in these cases has been identified as Shubham Lonkar, who is already an accused in the murder case of former Congress MLA Baba Siddiqui. Police sources indicate that Lonkar is believed to be a henchman of the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi gang, adding a layer of organized crime involvement to these extortion attempts. The investigation is now focused on confirming the caller's identity and unraveling any possible connections to broader criminal networks operating both domestically and internationally.
